His voice wasn’t loud, but the alpha command in his voice was absolute, brooking no antagonism or negotiation.
The stinky noble obeyed instantly, so I stepped back, lowering my gaze.
Control. Control yourself, Gina.
Caleb’s attention shifted to the noble.
“You were assigned observation duty,” he said calmly.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And yet you are interfering with palace staff.”
“I was merely—”
Caleb tilted his head slightly.
The noble stopped speaking.
A faint murmur rippled through the arena.
Caleb finally turned to me, and for one suspended heartbeat, I could sense the world narrowing.
His gaze dropped to my wrist.
He reached out slowly, his fingers closed around the exact place the noble had touched.
The contact was firm and warm. He lifted my hand slightly, not high, but
